Ukrainian music group DakhaBrakha will perform at the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts in Beaverton.
Courtesy of Tanya Vilchynska
The Ukrainian folk music group DakhaBrakha is touring the U.S. as cultural ambassadors for their war-torn homeland.
Direct from Kyiv, the band’s next stop will be at the Patricia Reser Center for the Arts in Beaverton this Sunday and Monday.
DakhaBrakha’s music can best be described as “ethno-chaos” combining elements of traditional Ukrainian folk music with modern pop, punk and hip hop.
Their name roughly translates to “Give and Take” and speaks to their message of resilience as a group and as Ukrainian people.
The band members hope that by continuing to play across the U.S., they will raise awareness of the atrocities that are taking place back home in Ukraine.
Chris Ayzoukian, the Reser’s Executive Director, says it’s important to show support for the group.
“They have been very brave to go out on this tour. The least we can do is share their music and share their culture,” he said.
Other Ukrainian community members will share their work in the lobby on both nights.
Tatiana Terdal, a board member of the Ukrainian-American Cultural Association of Oregon and Southwest Washington, will set up a table displaying arts and crafts from Ukraine including embroidered clothes, books and pysanky, Ukrainian Easter eggs.
Terdal wanted to show her support for DakhaBrakha while also educating the public on Ukraine’s rich history.
“Ukrainian culture is an ancient culture,” she says. “At the same time, it’s a live culture. It’s changing, adapting, growing roots to create something new. It’s ancient and modern and worth protecting and fighting for.”
Both shows are currently sold out but Ayzoukian says limited tickets might be available at the box office before each show starts. Otherwise, he encourages supporters to donate to the Ukrainian relief effort.
“What I hope people will take away from DakhaBrakha’s story is first a phenomenal evening of Ukrainian and contemporary music, but also a deeper understanding of what Ukraine’s going through.”
